Dongdaemun-gu holds capacity-building workshop for 400 neighborhood leaders

Dongdaemun-gu in Seoul has launched an initiative to strengthen the capabilities of its tong leaders and expand communication and cooperation across its neighborhoods.

The district office held its "2026 Tong Leader Capacity-Building Workshop" on Tuesday at the multipurpose hall on the second floor of the district office building, bringing together about 400 tong leaders, dong chiefs and staff from all 15 dong in the district.

The event was organized to recognize the contributions of tong leaders — the frontline community liaisons who connect residents with local government — and to give them a forum to share experiences and strengthen ties across neighborhoods.

The workshop featured cultural performances, a special lecture on communication, talent showcases by dong and group recreational activities.

A highlight was a lecture by actor Son Byong-ho, a Dongdaemun-gu honorary ambassador, who spoke on the theme of communication and stressed the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding in everyday life and community settings.

Tong leaders from each dong then took the stage to perform, showing off hidden talents and drawing enthusiastic support from their counterparts in other neighborhoods. The performances helped build a spirit of unity that cut across the district's administrative boundaries.

Participants also used the recreational activities to build friendships with tong leaders from other dong — people they rarely get to meet given the demands of their day-to-day work in the field.

Tong leaders serve as the most grassroots tier of local administration, relaying government information relevant to residents' daily lives and gathering community concerns and opinions. They also play a key role in the local safety net by identifying residents' unmet needs and uncovering gaps in welfare coverage.

"You are the steadfast bridge between residents and local government, keeping a close eye on the big and small matters of community life from the closest possible vantage point," Dongdaemun-gu District Mayor Choi Dong-min said. "I am deeply grateful for your quiet, dedicated service to this community."

Choi added that he hoped the workshop had been "a meaningful occasion to communicate, find common ground and renew your energy," and urged participants to "listen to residents' voices and take the lead in building a warm community where neighbors look out for one another."

Dongdaemun-gu said it plans to expand capacity-building education and networking opportunities so that tong leaders can continue to fulfill their roles as bridges between residents and local government and as welfare leaders within the community.